Seasoned Disney goers confused

[barbmouse]

We have been to Disney about a dozen times over the years and love it!! We are researchers/planners and always had an itinerary but would be flexible. We have always done all of the "big" must do rides at the parks usually more than once with a large group and all ages. However,we have not been since all of the changes have been made but hope to go again in the next year. Our last trip was just before the changes started with MB,FP+, etc.

I tell my family all of the time that according to everything I am reading that "we don't know how to do Disney anymore!" I'm not sure they believe me. So here's where my confusion comes in, I read on the boards about fast passes for Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Maelstrom(!?), Wishes, etc and I don't get it. We always ride all of these; again more than once, but have NEVER needed fp for those rides. Sure we may have had a short/moderate wait time but certainly wouldn't have used or needed a fp to ride and we have usually been at pretty high level crowd times. So are the lines that much longer? Are there fast passes for everything now even Jungle Cruise, etc? Someone please explain this to a seasoned Disney lover! I really don't understand fp for Wishes and parades. Is this just to get a better viewing spot?

I am having a really hard time wrapping my head around this but am willing to learn. I can understand getting fast passes ahead of time (months in advance) for some rides ToT, RNR come to mind. These are some of the ones we head to first as quickly as possible after rope drop but could someone who is a seasoned Disney person explain some of these things to me? I can see if you've never been before just accepting that this is how it is. I'm not debating good or bad, as I stated before we love Disney and are always looking forward to our next trip. I read and research on a regular basis. I love the idea of Magicbands (I want one!) and other changes. It's just very different and I want to understand it better before our next trip. Please help, do you plan very differently now and more importantly do you see less than before? Should we forget all we've ever known and come up with a new strategy? Do we still know how to do Disney?

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Yup.

Next, I'm going to DisneyLAND.

Bye bye FP so called plus!

 

[bless7ings]

I'm with you. Who has the answers? PLEASE respond!

 

[MuddyTires]

I don't find it confusing. What's there to wrap your head around? More attractions are FP+ enabled. You can now pre-reserve up to 3 per day ahead of time. Then, while your at the park, you can get more after your third FP is used or expires. This isn't rocket science.

 

[mcconnellfam96]

We have been to Disney about a dozen times over the years and love it!! We are researchers/planners and always had an itinerary but would be flexible. We have always done all of the "big" must do rides at the parks usually more than once with a large group and all ages. However,we have not been since all of the changes have been made but hope to go again in the next year. Our last trip was just before the changes started with MB,FP+, etc.

I tell my family all of the time that according to everything I am reading that "we don't know how to do Disney anymore!" I'm not sure they believe me. So here's where my confusion comes in, I read on the boards about fast passes for Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Maelstrom(!?), Wishes, etc and I don't get it. We always ride all of these; again more than once, but have NEVER needed fp for those rides. Sure we may have had a short/moderate wait time but certainly wouldn't have used or needed a fp to ride and we have usually been at pretty high level crowd times. So are the lines that much longer? Are there fast passes for everything now even Jungle Cruise, etc? Someone please explain this to a seasoned Disney lover! I really don't understand fp for Wishes and parades. Is this just to get a better viewing spot?

I am having a really hard time wrapping my head around this but am willing to learn. I can understand getting fast passes ahead of time (months in advance) for some rides ToT, RNR. These are the ones we head to first as quickly as possible after rope drop but could someone who is a seasoned Disney person explain some of these things to me? I can see if you've never been before just accepting that this is how it is. I'm not debating good or bad, as I stated before we love Disney and are always looking forward to our next trip. I read and research on a regular basis. I love the idea of Magicbands (I want one!) and other changes. It's just very different and I want to understand it better before our next trip. Please help, do you plan very differently now and more importantly do you see less than before? Should we forget all we've ever known and come up with a new strategy? Do we still know how to do Disney?

Our last trip was the last week of April this year, we got back about seven weeks ago. We used Magic Bands and were able to book our three FP+s per day 60 days prior. At that time, there was no option to try additional FP+s after your three are used. (This has been added in the last month.)

We used our FP+s for all the headliner rides and then utilized EMH and late hours to ride others. Throughout the day we would use the Undercover Tourist app to scout out rides with low wait times. We were jetting back and forth around the park but we are better walkers then we are standers (as in waiting in line).

It is definitely different than the old FP system but we like that we know where we are headed during our touring. We don't have to go from ride to ride looking for available FPs and then have to return later to ride.

 

[barbmouse]

I don't find it confusing. What's there to wrap your head around? More attractions are FP+ enabled. You can now pre-reserve up to 3 per day ahead of time. Then, while your at the park, you can get more after your third FP is used or expires. This isn't rocket science.

I understand how fast pass works. I don't understand why fp is needed for some of these attractions. We've used more than 4 fp in a day before.

 

[LMN]

We just got back from our latest trip- 8 days. The thing I don't like about FP+ is that it forces you to criss-cross across the park and walk way more than normal. Its inefficient. The standby lines for all rides are now longer than they used to be. I'm sure its because of FP+. With more people being told they need to sign up for FP+ when they book their reservations, there are more people using FP+. And because you can only get 3 per day to start off with it forces you to ride standby if you're going to ride at all. There were many rides we did not ride this last time because standby was too long and we already had FP+ picked out for 3 other rides. It didn't ruin our trip, but it was sad to have to miss some of our favorites.

 

[mcconnellfam96]

I don't find it confusing. What's there to wrap your head around? More attractions are FP+ enabled. You can now pre-reserve up to 3 per day ahead of time. Then, while your at the park, you can get more after your third FP is used or expires. This isn't rocket science.

I will never understand why someone finds it necessary to give a snarky comment in response to a question?? You always have the option of just not responding.

 

[CarlaLovesDisney]

I'm a little confused with your question OP, but I will try to answer it. I think you're asking: Why is there a FP+ for rides that don't need it/don't get busy enough for it? I have no idea why that is I think it's because these rides CAN get long lines and some people like those rides enough to avoid getting unlucky and having to wait. On my last trip, there were many rides I was happy that I booked a FP+ for because the wait times were strangely long.

BUT, I would agree with you, more often than not, a lot of these rides probably don't need a FP+. When I was in Epcot, I didn't even bother with my FP for Spaceship Earth and Nemo because the line was already at 5 minutes. That was kind of annoying.

As far as touring plans, the boards have many strategies to accommodate the new system. Some people argue that it's horrible, and some people argue that it's not that different. What was your old touring plan?

 

[ZoZo]

I think it is definitely a different strategy now with FP+, versus the legacy FP system. There are complications now (like tiering) that didn't exist with the old FP system.

Now that you are able to book additional FPs (based on availability) after you use your first three, I think the strategy has changed a bit since I was at the parks in February. (At the time when I went, you could only get three FPs per day, period.) So I think lots of folks book their first three FPs earlier in the day than they used to, knowing they can get more after they use the first three.

My strategy would be to get to the park at rope drop, ride the headliners "standby" for the first hour or two, then schedule my FPs at, say, 10:30, 11:30, and 12:30. Then you could book additional FPs at the kiosks based on availability. You can even use your fourth, fifth, etc. FPs at a different park (another change from when I was there in February). But you do have to be present at your second park to book the additional FPs, I think - you can't book FPs for Epcot if you're still at MK.

Here's a link to a really great thread about which things to pick for your FPs. It's written by Mesaboy, who has really great insight into the whole process:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3143281

Good luck!

 

[ToddyLu]

It is more like scheduling your activities ahead of time. So if you want to see Nemo the Musical...you can now get a FP for the 1:00 show. No more guessing if you may get a seat, just show up, swipe you magic band and they let you in. More scheduling is to help you make better use of your time. While I can schedule ADRs ahead of time, scheduling FP seems more like a pain to me. Our touring styles have changed and rides are just not as important anymore. But if you have a six yrear old Princess I could see making a 60 day FP to see Elsa and Anna so that you have a better plan.

Knowing what the park hours are and what your ADRs are, then you can organize for rides close by...or change them earlier in the day due to rain...not having to wait until you are standing in front of the entrance to see what the wait times are, length of line, etc.

I too have had a hard time figuring out how to make the best use of FP+. I think it is because I am a more an analog thinker than a digital one. I must say that the armband idea of unlocking your door, making purchases and entering the park withotu a card is neat...less cumbersome for sure.

 

[barbmouse]

Our last trip was the last week of April this year, we got back about seven weeks ago. We used Magic Bands and were able to book our three FP+s per day 60 days prior. At that time, there was no option to try additional FP+s after your three are used. (This has been added in the last month.)

We used our FP+s for all the headliner rides and then utilized EMH and late hours to ride others. Throughout the day we would use the Undercover Tourist app to scout out rides with low wait times. We were jetting back and forth around the park but we are better walkers then we are standers (as in waiting in line).

It is definitely different than the old FP system but we like that we know where we are headed during our touring. We don't have to go from ride to ride looking for available FPs and then have to return later to ride.

Thanks for your input. We used an app last trip and thought it was great. Glad to know it is still useful. Did you get as much done as before?

 

[rwdavis2]

I'm sure this entire MDE, FP+, etc was developed as a way for Disney to make more money going forward. Now they have a way to sell fastpasses or vary the number by resort, or money spent once they decide to do so. Once all the software is more reliable it's pretty much automated.

The use of the FP+ is not complicated but makes touring the parks, IMHO, one more thing to over-plan months in advance.

 

[FINFAN]

We have been to Disney about a dozen times over the years and love it!! We are researchers/planners and always had an itinerary but would be flexible. We have always done all of the "big" must do rides at the parks usually more than once with a large group and all ages. However,we have not been since all of the changes have been made but hope to go again in the next year. Our last trip was just before the changes started with MB,FP+, etc.

I tell my family all of the time that according to everything I am reading that "we don't know how to do Disney anymore!" I'm not sure they believe me. So here's where my confusion comes in, I read on the boards about fast passes for Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Maelstrom(!?), Wishes, etc and I don't get it. We always ride all of these; again more than once, but have NEVER needed fp for those rides. Sure we may have had a short/moderate wait time but certainly wouldn't have used or needed a fp to ride and we have usually been at pretty high level crowd times. So are the lines that much longer? Are there fast passes for everything now even Jungle Cruise, etc? Someone please explain this to a seasoned Disney lover! I really don't understand fp for Wishes and parades. Is this just to get a better viewing spot?

I am having a really hard time wrapping my head around this but am willing to learn. I can understand getting fast passes ahead of time (months in advance) for some rides ToT, RNR come to mind. These are some of the ones we head to first as quickly as possible after rope drop but could someone who is a seasoned Disney person explain some of these things to me? I can see if you've never been before just accepting that this is how it is. I'm not debating good or bad, as I stated before we love Disney and are always looking forward to our next trip. I read and research on a regular basis. I love the idea of Magicbands (I want one!) and other changes. It's just very different and I want to understand it better before our next trip. Please help, do you plan very differently now and more importantly do you see less than before? Should we forget all we've ever known and come up with a new strategy? Do we still know how to do Disney?

First off, BRAVO for putting in words exactly the way I feel. I know everyone says this is the "same availability" as when old FP was there but when I read that you have to wait in line for a kiosk to \then go thru several steps to see what rides have availability then to see what time...the old way we just ran up to the ride, looked at the return time listed on the sign and decided yay or nay. I'm not too thrilled about reading the recent reports that booking the 4th FP is not working out too well or even at all. The old way we would usually obtain 6 or more FP in a day no problem now it looks like 3 is you guarantee and fingers crossed for any others and now by-stander lines are reported back worse to boot. The old way you could book your next FP as you used 1 up, now you have to wait until all 3 are used, right and then you get one at a time, not 3 more at a time, right? That said, since I have not personally experienced the new system yet (we go Labor Day weekend which I had hoped would be a manageable 3 days, but highly doubt it now)so I really can't base on anything other than what others post.
I do NOT want to spend a vacation with my nose in my phone looking for the next available ride so I already know I will be at a disadvantage. I am especially sad that like you OP, we WERE seasoned park goers and were finally at the point where we could go for 3 days and have it be worth the ticket cost because we could go commando, use our experience etc. and now it's like all that time and $ that was invested getting to that point just got wiped out and we are back to complete newbie status. I am hoping that as some others have posted that they have had an easier go of things with the new system, but I am skeptical so far. Let's just say I haven't clicked on the "purchase" button for our tix yet...but our 60 window is approaching fast.

 

[barbmouse]

I'm a little confused with your question OP, but I will try to answer it. I think you're asking: Why is there a FP+ for rides that don't need it/don't get busy enough for it? I have no idea why that is I think it's because these rides CAN get long lines and some people like those rides enough to avoid getting unlucky and having to wait. On my last trip, there were many rides I was happy that I booked a FP+ for because the wait times were strangely long.

BUT, I would agree with you, more often than not, a lot of these rides probably don't need a FP+. When I was in Epcot, I didn't even bother with my FP for Spaceship Earth and Nemo because the line was already at 5 minutes. That was kind of annoying.

As far as touring plans, the boards have many strategies to accommodate the new system. Some people argue that it's horrible, and some people argue that it's not that different. What was your old touring plan?

Sorry, if it my question was confusing! You answered my question about not really needing fp for some rides and that now they have longer lines. I'm thinking of some family booking fp for these rides and not needing them and then not getting to do other headliners that you do need fp for. Thanks for your response.

 

[barbmouse]

I'm sure this entire MDE, FP+, etc was developed as a way for Disney to make more money going forward. Now they have a way to sell fastpasses or vary the number by resort, or money spent once they decide to do so. Once all the software is more reliable it's pretty much automated.

The use of the FP+ is not complicated but makes touring the parks, IMHO, one more thing to over-plan months in advance.

Your last statement makes so much sense. This is what I was trying to convey!

 

[Minniedap]

Barbmouse, we just returned yesterday and felt the same way you do. Because of the tiers we booked some rides that we walked on in the past, and still would have walked on this time. The only things that surprised us were the shows. Lion King lets in all fastpasses first and the show was quite full before standby was let in. This was also true about Fantasmic which we did book late in the day without a problem.

 

[FINFAN]

i will never understand why someone finds it necessary to give a snarky comment in response to a question?? You always have the option of just not responding.

+1

 

[AmyB2006]

We were never FP "commandos" or whatever the accepted term is today. But yes, there are plenty of seasoned Disney goers that have reported they were able to squeeze in just as much as they were before, with the new system. I think it does require a little bit of strategy change, but probably not much.

Like I said, I'm not a rope dropper and never pulled more than 2 or 3 regular FPs before with the old system, so I can't really give advice on the "how" part. But it can be done.

I think if you have a good understanding on how the system works now, it'll be easier to work around it and come up with your strategy. But definitely pick peoples' brains here and read up on Mesaboy's FP+ Strategy thread. It helps.

 

[mcconnellfam96]

Thanks for your input. We used an app last trip and thought it was great. Glad to know it is still useful. Did you get as much done as before?

We did feel like we got a lot done! During our trip next month, our goal is to ride everything in MK atleast one time. Of our ten days, we are planning to be at MK 5 days and have chosen FP+s already. We pretty much only reserved the coasters (7DMT, Space Mtn, Splash Mtn, BTMR - because we love coasters) and one FP+ for A&E. Everything else we will ride standby. We definitely get the most done during the late night hours. We wish MK was open until 3:00 AM every night!